Indiana Lawmakers

The governor changes DEI—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to MEI—Merit, Excellence, and Innovation.

The state budgeting process is, as they say, complicated. Host Jon Schwantes, sits down with four of the General Assembly’s key budget architects,

Host Jon Schwantes welcomes House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray along with Minority Leaders Shelli Yoder and Phil GiaQuinta in part 2 of Indiana Lawmakers legislative leadership show.

Host Jon Schwantes speaks with Indiana's legislative Leadership, Speaker Todd Huston, Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray, Minority Leaders Shelli Yoder and Phil GiaQuinta on the first episode of Indiana Lawmakers in 2025.

As always, the last word on Indiana's legislative session goes to the people who follow it closest. Take one last look at the bills that sparked major debate among legislators — and those with which Gov. Holcomb took issue — with Statehouse reporters Brandon Smith and Niki Kelly, as well as Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor with the University of Indianapolis.

At the outset of the Indiana 2024 short session, the leadership of Republican supermajorities predicted a “quiet” session devoted to “fine-tuning.” What followed may offer new definitions of those words, with major debates in both chambers around education, technology, and more. This week we’ll review the just-concluded legislative session with Indiana's caucus leaders.

This month, "March Madness" might not necessarily refer to basketball, but to the battle over who will control what can be taught or said at Indiana’s public colleges and universities.

Green comes in many shades, but they don't always go together. Take, for example, the seeming incompatibility of “nature's hue” and the “color of money” — a clash that’s on near-constant display at the Indiana Statehouse. This week, we’ll examine the tension between two shades of policy priorities with Rep. Matt Pierce, Dr. Gabriel Filippelli of IUPUI, and Dr. Nick Soltis from UIndy.

According to the latest edition of the Indiana Civics Health Index, our state ranked 50th in the nation in voter turnout for the 2022 midterm election. What accounts for our state’s chronic — and, by most measures, worsening — civic engagement issues? We look for answers with Sen. J.D. Ford and Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor with the University of Indianapolis.

Over the years, the Indiana General Assembly has passed numerous measures to advance technology and promote its use. This session, however, the focus has shifted to reining in technology that might be detrimental, if not downright dangerous. We explore what measures our state legislature is taking to protect Hoosiers from data breaches and dystopian developments with artificial intelligence.

Indiana ranks towards the bottom of states when it comes to the accessibility, affordability, quality, and efficacy of healthcare. That’s bad news indeed for a state that already has one of the unhealthiest populations in the country. How did we get here and what can we do to fix the problem? We discuss with Sen. Shelli Yoder and John Ruckelshaus with the Indiana State Medical Association.

See if Indiana makes the grade when it comes to improving our state’s education outcomes. We'll explore current reform efforts, including addressing low literacy rates, chronic absenteeism, and more.

A complicated economy and an unprecedented level of competition for high-wage employers are causing a lot of Hoosiers to perceive “economic development” differently. State Senator Spencer Deery, a West Lafayette Republican from the Commerce and Technology Committee, and State Representative Renee Pack, an Indianapolis Democrat from the Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee.

Time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies when you’re serving as the governor of a state that’s struggling to improve public health, deal with deeply entrench suspicions of government, and become a player in a 21st-century global economy. This week, we sit down for our final post-State of the State interview with Gov. Eric Holcomb to reflect on his time in office and the future.

This week on Indiana Lawmakers, we’ll chart the course for the remainder of the 2024 short session with the General Assembly’s four caucus leaders. Host Jon Schwantes is joined by House Speaker Todd Huston, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, and Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor. 

On this week’s “Indiana Lawmakers” we take a final look back at the Indiana General Assembly’s eventful 2023 session. Host Jon Schwantes welcomes back to the table four nonpartisan journalists who chronicled the session’s every twist and turn.

The Indiana General Assembly’s 2023 session wrapped up last week. How will lawmakers’ decisions impact you and your fellow Hoosiers? Join host Jon Schwantes and the caucus leaders for the next “Indiana Lawmakers” for their assessments. 

On this week's “Indiana Lawmakers” we’ll bring home the issue of affordable housing in Indiana - or more accurately, the lack thereof. What’s the problem? Post-pandemic inflation? Burdensome regulation? Soaring mortgage rates? The short answer: YES!

This week on “Indiana Lawmakers” - examining some of the nearly 20 “anti-trans” bills introduced this session. Critics refer to such measures as the “slate of hate”. Supporters say they’re motivated by a sincere interest in the health & wellbeing of kids.

Final negotiations over the state’s biennial budget are fast approaching. On the next “Indiana Lawmakers”, we preview the House passed budget, the Senate's fiscal plan, and the spending priorities of the Governor. What priorities will win out? 

Next on Indiana Lawmakers, a “universal voucher” proposal may double the amount Hoosier taxpayers spend on vouchers. Backers say it’s a wise investment in our children and in the state’s future. Opponents say it would signal the end of public education.

Frustrated by the apparent failure of past attempts to contain healthcare costs, Indiana legislators are weighing potential remedies. What “is" the right approach? On the next “Indiana Lawmakers” we invite you to scrub in for some “level-one drama”!

As virtually every Hoosier family can attest, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness is a critically important issue. On the next “Indiana Lawmakers” we discuss legislation calling for an expansion of mental health services statewide.